1. FC Saarbrücken TT completed a historic season by securing their third title of the campaign and claiming the first treble in club history. In his final match for the club, FAN Zhendong led Saarbrücken to a 3-1 victory over Borussia Düsseldorf in the Liebherr TTBL Final4 final, securing the German championship title.
Around 5,600 spectators attended the event over the weekend at the Süwag Energie Arena in Frankfurt, witnessing top-level table tennis and a memorable farewell performance from the Chinese superstar.
Just two weeks after lifting the HYLO Champions League trophy and following their German Cup triumph in January, Saarbrücken added the Bundesliga title to complete a remarkable treble. It is the club’s second German championship after their first success in 2020.
“I am very happy that I could help the team with two victories,” said FAN Zhendong. “Even when I was not at my best during parts of the season, the team was always there. That shows how strong this team really is.”
FAN Zhendong shines in his farewell appearance
The final carried special significance for FAN. The Olympic champion not only completed the mission for which he was signed last summer, but did so in his final appearance for Saarbrücken and against Borussia Düsseldorf, the club he will join next season.
FAN once again demonstrated why his arrival had electrified the German Bundesliga. He remained unbeaten throughout the weekend, winning all four of his matches and captivating the crowd, many of whom celebrated every point he won with thunderous applause. Chants of “FAN Zhendong” echoed around the arena during the closing stages of the final.
The Chinese star laid the foundation for Saarbrücken’s victory with a 3-1 win over Dang QIU in the opening match. Although the German international produced several strong passages and came close to taking a 2-1 lead in games, Fan proved too strong in the decisive moments.
“Of course we are disappointed after losing the final,” said QIU. “We played a very good match, but against a team as strong as Saarbrücken everything has to be perfect, and today it wasn’t.”
After Kanak JHA levelled the score for Düsseldorf with a convincing victory over Darko JORGIC, the third match became crucial.
Patrick FRANZISKA rose to the occasion. One day after suffering a defeat against Bremen’s Kirill GERASSIMENKO in the semi-final, the German international produced an excellent display to beat Anton KÄLLBERG 3-1 and restore Saarbrücken’s lead.
Had KÄLLBERG won, the final could have gone to doubles, where Düsseldorf would likely have held the advantage.
Asked afterwards whether he would have liked the final to go to doubles, FRANZISKA smiled and replied: “No.”
Borussia manager Andreas PREUSS remained optimistic at that stage: “In table tennis, anything can happen.”
Fan ZHENDONG then completed the job with a 3-2 victory over Kanak JHA, sealing the championship and the treble.
“I am incredibly proud of this team,” said FRANZISKA. “We were favourites in all three competitions, but the margins are so small. We managed to deal with the pressure. I joined Saarbrücken ten years ago, and if somebody had told me then that we would one day win the treble, I would never have believed it.”
Congratulations also came from Borussia Düsseldorf coach Danny HEISTER.
“They deserved it,” said HEISTER. “I cannot blame my team. We gave everything, but this time it was not enough.”
The day before, Düsseldorf had survived a four-hour thriller against TTC Schwalbe Bergneustadt. After falling behind 1-2, the record champions fought back through Anton KÄLLBERG’s dramatic comeback victory over Benedikt DUDA before Dang QIU and Li YONGYIN secured the decisive doubles win.
Saarbrücken booked their place in the final with a 3-1 victory over SV Werder Bremen. Fan ZHENDONG avenged his surprise defeat to Marcelo AGUIRRE from earlier in the season, while Darko JORGIC recovered from a two-game deficit against Mattias KARLSSON in a crucial encounter.
For the first time, the German champion was decided through a Final Four format featuring semi-finals and a final over one weekend.
Former European champion Timo BOLL praised the concept.
“As a player I always enjoyed the Final Four format. It is excellent for the sporting level and also a great event for spectators.”
The attendance figures reflected that enthusiasm, with approximately 5,600 fans attending throughout the weekend. Many spectators travelled from China specifically to watch Fan ZHENDONG compete.
TTBL Managing Director Nico STEHLE described the event as a major success for the league.
“With the Liebherr TTBL Final4 we wanted to bring together all the top players in one place and offer world-class table tennis over one weekend. We achieved that. Combined with attendance records, growing media reach and increasing international visibility, the league can look back on an excellent season.”
Foto: BeLa Sportfoto
Final
1. FC Saarbrücken TT – Borussia Düsseldorf 3-1
- Fan ZHENDONG – Dang QIU 3-1 (11-5, 11-13, 12-10, 11-8)
- Darko JORGIC – Kanak JHA 0-3 (7-11, 7-11, 7-11)
- Patrick FRANZISKA – Anton KÄLLBERG 3-1 (11-6, 11-6, 9-11, 11-6)
- Fan ZHENDONG – Kanak JHA 3-2 (6-11, 11-6, 11-8, 9-11, 11-6)
Semi finals
Borussia Düsseldorf – TTC Schwalbe Bergneustadt 3:2
- Anton KÄLLBERG – Romain RUIZ 3:1 (10:12, 11:9, 11:7, 11:3)
- Dang QIU – Benedikt DUDA 2:3 (12:10, 10:12, 11:9, 9:11, 9:11)
- Kanak JHA – Leo de NODREST 2:3 (11:2, 9:11, 11:9, 8:11, 5:11)
- Anton KÄLLBERG – Benedikt DUDA 3:2 (9:11, 6:11, 11:6, 11:7, 11:8)
- Dang QIU/LI Yongyin – Leo de NODREST/Adrien RASSENFOSSE 3:1 (5:11, 11:4, 11:7, 11:6)
1. FC Saarbrücken TT – SV Werder Bremen 3:1
- FAN Zhendong – Marcelo AGUIRRE 3:0 (11:6, 11:8, 11:5)
- Patrick FRANZISKA – Kirill GERASSIMENKO 2:3 (16:14, 7:11, 13:11, 11:13, 5:11)
- Darko JORGIC – Mattias KARLSSON 3:2 (10:12, 10:12, 15:13, 11:8, 11:8)
- FAN Zhendong – Irvin BERTRAND 3:1 (11:3, 11:3, 7:11, 11:8)
